Small business owner wins $7.2 million playing Palace Casino penny slot | People

A Montague, Michigan man drove down to South Mississippi Thursday to attend a good friend’s funeral, the 16 hour drive was well worth it.

According to Palace Casino Resort officials, 72-year-old Tyler Morris won $7,217,175. 15 on The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship progressive penny slot Friday around 10:30 p.m.

The small business owner and his wife, Mary Morris attended his friend's funeral earlier that day. He said he typically plays craps, but because his friend used to play penny slots he opted to do the same to honor his friend.

Casino officials said Morris seemed calm at first, but after seeing his big check from the casino, he got really excited.

According to a Palace Casino press release, Mary Morris said they'll spend money on their children and grandchildren, pay off the brand new car they purchased to drive down to Biloxi and repair the roof to their weathervane and house number manufacturing business.

Morris reportedly put several twenties in the slot machine before winning big.

When Morris first called his children to tell them about his win, they didn’t believe him. They thought he was joking, according to casino officials.

Casino officials said the penny slot he used was a statewide progressive slot with a max bet of $3.50.